MORAL CONSTRUCTION AND SOCIAL PARTICIPATION IN DIDONG DOAH CHANT: REVITALIZING KARO LOCAL WISDOM THROUGH AN ANTHROPOLINGUISTIC PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

This study investigates the Karo traditional chant Didong Doah Bibi Sirembah Ku Lau as a performative medium for moral construction and social participation transmitted orally in customary wedding rituals. Central to the analysis is the role of women, especially maternal aunts (bibi), as moral agents through symbolic and emotive language. Using an anthropolinguistic approach, the study highlights three key dimensions: performance, indexicality, and participation.

Data were collected through participatory observation, in-depth interviews, and audiovisual documentation of didong doah performances. The findings reveal that didong doah functions as a cultural mechanism for conveying values such as filial piety, family integrity, and intergenerational blessings. The symbolic expressions reinforce communal bonds and cultural identity. This study contributes to revitalizing local wisdom and highlights the transformative potential of oral traditions in sustaining social cohesion and cultural resilience.